Official Funeral For Obuchi Held in TokyoThe official funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi was held Thursday afternoon at Nippon Budokan hall in central Tokyo, with some 6,000 mourners attending.Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who serves as the master of the funeral, mourned the death of Obuchi, saying he felt only the deepest sorrow when reflecting on the sudden passing of his predecessor. "I am anguished to think how deeply disappointed Mr. Obuchi must have been to have had to retire from the arena of action, felled by an unforeseen illness," Mori said in a memorial speech. "At this moment of bereavement, I can do no more than express my heartfelt gratitude to former Prime Minister Obuchi for dedicating his all to this nation and its people as its leader, and I pray for the peaceful repose of his soul," Mori said. The funeral, organized jointly by the Japanese cabinet and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), began at 2:00 p.m. (local time). Chinese Vice-premier Qian Qichen, special envoy of the Chinese government, was present at the event. US President Bill Clinton, South Korean President Kim Dae Jung, Philippine President Joseph Estrada and Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai joined the foreign dignitaries from some 180 countries, regions and international organizations in mourning Obuchi's death. Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako, also came to bid farewell, accompanied by former prime ministers, leaders of ruling and opposition parties, business leaders, education workers and artists. Former House of Representatives Speaker Soichiro Ito, House of Councilors President Juro Saito and Supreme Court Chief Justice Shigeru Yamaguchi also paid tribute to Obuchi. Following a brief performance of Frederic Chopin's Nocturne by a pianist, a group of participants offered flowers for the late Japanese prime minister. Obuchi, 62, died on May 14, 43 days after falling into coma from a stroke. He is survived by his wife, Chizuko, a son and two daughters. Obuchi first won election to the House of Representatives in 1963 at the age of 26, succeeding his late father. He was reelected for 11 consecutive times. |
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